You Don’t Have To Be Called “Mom” To Be A Mother

The fall of 2003 brought a lot of changes to my little world. I had just graduated from high school that previous May and instead of immediately scampering off to college, I decided to stay in Houston to attend a community college for one year. Although I felt slightly left behind since most of my friends scattered, two things kept me sane that following year, my best friend who also stayed put, and Bible study.

My mom had previously attended a Beth Moore Bible study and although I’d heard of her, and knew her name, I really had no idea the impact she’d later have on my life. That fall semester my mom asked if I wanted to attend Bible study with her, and knowing I had nothing to lose, I agreed to it. So we made our way that September evening to Houston’s First Baptist Church and for the next ten weeks sat through the teachings and tapings of “Living Beyond Yourself”, which also happened to be the very first Bible study I’d ever finished in my life. Mind you, I grew up in the church, but I devoured this study day in and day out. As I spent time alone studying God’s Word, I can honestly say that semester changed the course of my life. I wanted Jesus for myself.

No words could ever convey how grateful I am to my parents for raising me in a church going, godly home. In fact, I learned what a true servant was by watching my mom serve the church joyfully week in and week out, and I don’t see her quitting any time soon. However, it wasn’t until college that I realized while my own mother taught me to love and serve the church, this firecracker of a lady named Beth Moore taught me to how to love Jesus and how to love and study His word. The fact that she had poured out her heart and soul and taken time to mother women across the globe through her Bible studies was not lost on me. I claimed her as my spiritual mother and throughout college introduced her to my sorority sisters a time or two. I was extremely grateful for the gift she was.

Through Beth’s teachings, writings and Bible studies, I know she has not only mothered me, but I know for a fact that is how many of you, our dear siestas, feel about our Siesta Mama. How blessed are we?

Fast forward almost ten years later, in my wildest dreams I would have never guessed the Lord would place me directly under her leadership. I can honestly say that who she is as a Bible study teacher is exactly who she is as a boss, mentor, friend, and God-loving spiritual mother. No pretention, no games, just pure authenticity. I’ve been planted among 11 other spiritual mothers here at LPM and my love tank is over-flowing. I sincerely pray I never take their incredible wisdom for granted.

To put it into simple terms, I feel beyond spoiled.

I have yet to experience motherhood, and although my desire is to one day be a wife and mother, while I’m waiting, the only way I can adequately say thank you to my own mother (who I’m becoming just like) and to Beth as a spiritual mother is to pour myself out to the younger girls I’ve been given the privilege to love and serve. Those with mothers and those without. What I’ve learned is that you don’t need little mouths calling you “mom” to be a mother. You can leave a legacy of mothering with or without birthing your own children.

A little over a year ago I sat at the funeral of a young mother who left behind a 16-year-old daughter and it was at that moment that I realized how much I loved and needed my own mother. What in the world would I do without her?

As Mother’s Day is fast approaching, I am acutely aware that my situation is rare, especially as I think about the little girls in India who’ve been born to mothers enslaved in the brothels. Little girls, their daughters—some as young as seven or eight years old—are being forced into the sex trade. But the cycle of enslavement doesn’t have to continue. These mothers strive to protect their children from this generational fate, and As Our Own offers a way for these brave women to give their children the life they themselves are denied. In Jesus name, As Our Own is an answer to their desperate prayers of rescue. Let’s support them and be a part of the solution and their story.

Siestas, you may not know what an impact you made in the lives of these precious girls last Mother’s Day, but rest assured it was eternal and in fact, you haven’t stopped giving. After our sweet Amanda posted last year, As Our Own heard from hundreds of you from over 45 different states and four different countries and collectively you all helped raise over $27,000. That is amazing!

Maybe you’re like me and you’re in a season of waiting, take this opportunity as one from the Lord and honor and bless a little girl across the world who needs a mother like you to love and provide for her from afar.

To mother is to sacrifice in more ways than one.

To give these girls a spiritual inheritance is to sacrifice financially for them.

Would you consider joining me in honoring your mother, daughter, sister, aunt, spiritual mother or maybe another mother figure of your own by giving to As Our Own? You may never see the fruit of your sacrifice, but the Lord will honor it, and there is no doubt the girls you’re giving value to will know the impact of your sacrifice.

Instead of stressing about the perfect gift, just follow this link to donate to As Our Own and then follow the instructions to download a card that explains the donation you made in her name. I promise, along with a hug, it would mean the world to her.

Your gift is making an eternal difference and impact. Thank you so, so much!

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26 Responses to “You Don’t Have To Be Called “Mom” To Be A Mother”

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What a great post!..I am currently in a season of waiting as well! Beth was introduced to me via Bible study (I believe about 2 yrs ago) and the Lord has used her to change my life as well. God Bless you and thank you for writing this post!…

We love As Our Own! Ever since Amanda shared about them last year they’ve had a special place in our hearts. The hubs ran for Gajra in October. Thanks for reminding me about the opportunity to give on behalf of our Mothers. I nearly forgot!

What a great post! I love the ministry of As Our Own! We were introduced to them a couple years ago through our church during Advent Conspiracy and we were compelled to give to rescue a girl from that life of bondage. Since then our church has sent people to India to work with As Our Own and we have stayed in close contact with them. Thank you so much for sharing on their behalf!

“This firecracker of a lady named Beth Moore taught me to how to love Jesus and how to love and study His word. The fact that she had poured out her heart and soul and taken time to mother women across the globe through her Bible studies was not lost on me…”

My thoughts exactly, Lindsee. I cannot remember a time when I didn’t know Beth…my own sweet Mama sat under her teaching at The Met starting when I was 1 year old, so I feel like I’ve literally grown up with her! But this past year since finishing college, God has used Beth and her teaching to grow in me a deep love and desire for Jesus and His Word. Now that I’ve had a taste, there is no going back!!

I learned about As Our Own through last year’s post as well. What an amazing work God is doing through them. And an amazing work He is doing through you! Your words were beautiful. Thank you for sharing!

Blessings,
Jenn

P.S. – Living Beyond Yourself was life-changing for me! An awesome study.

I have been profoundly affected by Beth’s teaching. I learned of Beth nearly 12 years ago and have done nearly all of her studies to date. Beth, how God has used you to mentor me when there was no one else… has changed my life. I am so grateful.

About the ministry of As Our Own… I am speechless and overcome in the spirit with compassion. Lord, raise each of us up to help.

Oh sweet, Lindsee, What an awesome post! The Lord has radically changed my life and given me an unquenchable hunger and thirst for His Word through the teaching of our Siesta Mama Beth. I started her studies about 10 years ago – broken and bleeding – and now am privileged to lead her studies to a group of ladies in Greenville who are the same. Since the wonderful Scripture memory weekend in Houston where I was graced by Beth personally praying for me, I have sensed God’s Presence in an even deeper dimension.
My own Mom recently died so I definitely am going to give to As Our Own in her memory. Unable to have children of my own, God gave me a sweet young lady to fill that void and I praise Him for that. He provided a way for her to come with me to Houston as well.
Oh My, we’ve come a long way baby! Blessings to you and all the LP staff and our precious little Faith Mama!!

OH MY GOSH so true! I went to Cambodia for a mission trip almost 2 years ago and the things I saw and learned about the young girls that are forced into sex trafficking was beyond appalling ! I have not been the same since returning. Our church got on board and we raised 38,000 dollars to buy a new vehicle for the people to rescue the “victims” of sex trafficking.
I believe God wants us to help STOP{ this terrible tragedy in any way we can.
Beth you are awesome and being used by God in so many ways you will never even know. thank you for being faithful. I love and appreciate you more than you could ever know.
May God Bless you all at LPM.
ginny

Thank you for sharing about your faith journey. Loved hearing how you became aquainted to Beth’s bible studies. Precious that you could participate in it with your mom, priceless.
I feel honored to give to As Our Own in honor of my 2 girls, Marissa & Megan. Bless you for all you do at LPM, you are a treasure.

Great post! So proud of you and the person God is molding you to be! He has you exactly where He wants you, surrounded by some amazing women! Thank you for being a good role model to me and all those younger women!!!! Bless you!
Mindy

I can tell the Lord has used you in so many girl’s lives. I am praying for you today regarding His timing in your life. I can see that you are delighting yourself in Him, and He is giving you the desires of your heart:)

Thank you for this beautiful post and spectacular idea to donate to As Our Own. And thank you for being a motherly figure to so many young women and girls. You will probably never know the impact you’ve had on these lives but it will be eternal. What a gift you are to your Momma, Beth and the ladies at LPM.

Oh, Lindsee…I just love this post. Such a wonderful reminder what a difference Moms make in our lives. Thanks for the encouragement to pass that same influence on to others…regardless of if we are a “mom” or not!

The Beth Moore and her bible studies have changed my life and faith. Even though we are almost the same age and had similar abuse experiences as children, I consider her my spiritual mother. Maybe the verse should say “You have many teachers, but you don’t have many mothers.” too. Well, you know what I mean. Thanks for helping me to let God pull me from the pit.

What an awesome mission!! We know that God has a special heart for children considering that their angels are always in His presence. Let us all consider His heart and give from ours. Thanks for this wonderful opportunity to be a part of this. Amazing!!

Lindsee,
Thank you so much for the wonderful introduction to As Our Own. I have been going crazy trying to figure out what to get my mom for mothers day and this was just perfect! She is going to love it! And I already feel blessed to have been able to be part of this amazing ministry for Gods glory. Your Greatfuly Siesta, Heather

As an Advocate for Compassion International and with a heart that beats for the rescue of vulnerable children, your post today grabbed my attention. As Our Own looks to be a fantastic organization and am delighted to have found it. Thank you!

Lindsee I agree with you. And like you, I am waiting for a husband. But I want to encourage women that are called to be mother’s and know it in the deepest part of their being, to begin asking the Lord if they are called to Fostering children or adoption right here in the US. The need is so great for children, who are waiting, to have a loving and God centered home. I felt the call in 2007 to foster, God did not bring a foster placement until 2008. After fostering for 18 months God allowed me to adopt her in 2009. I wrestled with the Lord and He won, the story He was writing I couldn’t udnerstand, but I am so grateful now. Then through only His story telling, He allowed me to adopt again in 2010. I love being a mommy. I was tired of living for myself and ready to pour my life into another. I was mature and yet feeling like I wasn’t walking in my full potential. But for years I had a heart for teen mothers and unplanned pregnancy and equipping them for motherhood, if that was their choice. A dear friend made me ponder how I would truly minister to their deepest need if I didn’t understand it. I understand his comment now, the life of a single mom is very different, it’s all I know and I’m loving it. (Though my children and I, all pray for a “daddy” every night, my daughter asks Jesus for a daddy that will dance with her.) God had a plan far larger then I could comprehend, I am now servant leader of a single mom’s ministry, which I know God was orchestrating before He called me to my present life.

What a beautiful post. I know the true value of having women in ones life who step up to plate when your own mother doesn’t. Although I’ve never thought of Beth Moore as a Spiritual Mother it certainly fits. I have been so blessed with her studies and the journey she’s taken me on – – Knowing my Jesus personally. To all of you at LPM Happy Mother’s Day

Thank you, Lindsee! I read through As Our Own’s website, reposted your blog post, and wrote my own. I’m so thankful you used your influence to not only share your love for your mom and Beth, but to challenge all of us to give more than just stuff to our moms for Mother’s Day!

The sex slave business is horrifying and almost beyond belief. I have Norwegian relatives working with the street children in Cambodia (YWAM) and the stories they tell break my heart. Praise God for organizations like As Our Own and Tiny Hands that help these children and their families. I will be praying…

Thank you Lindsee, that was beautiful.
Im honored to give in honor of my mom and MIL. In this time of craziness with the end of school activities, we can so easily forget how fortunate we are to live in this country. I know there are problems in America, but for the most part we have been blessed beyond measure. Grace, thank You, Lord.

I did, I did receive a Word! Maybe not as profound as yours, and I’m going to take yours for me too, but I needed the Word I received. We are going through Romans, such a profound book. Well, we’re on our 3rd week of Romans 6 and it wasn’t even our senior pastor. He was talking about sanctification/ the process. Everything he said was profound, and most of it was scripture, which I’m going to pray for myself every day. Okay, back to the point, the one thing he said that pierced my heart was, “Do we pull into our garage and thank God for filling us with His Spirit, but then excuse Him, and go into our house and take over in the flesh.” Wham, it hit me like a ton of bricks. I have been praying diligently to be filled with His Spirit, totally, completely, not fulfilling the desires of the flesh, but somehow when it’s just family I let my guard down, let the flesh take over. I can be mean, rude, disrespectful with the people I love the most. No, no, no, Holy Spirit, please rule and reign most of all when I’m home.

What’s a Siesta?

Isn't "siesta" the Spanish word for nap? Yes! Then why are our LPM blog readers called siestas? One time Beth typed out the word "sistas," referring to our blog readers, and her spell checker wanted her to change it to "siestas." The name stuck! You can read about it here. If you read this blog, consider yourself a siesta! It's just another word for sister.